Supplemental side impact protection system for automotive vehicle

ABSTRACT

A supplemental impact protection system for an automotive vehicle includes an external energy management structure having a first position for normal vehicle operation and a second position for deployment during an impact event. A mounting system allows selective positioning of the energy management structure in either the first or second position, as determined by a controller which assesses an impact potential of the vehicle and operates the mounting system to move the energy management structure to the second, or deployed, position in the event that the assessed impact potential satisfies a predetermined threshold.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a supplemental side impact protectionsystem for an automotive vehicle.

The presence of bumpers at the opposite ends of conventional passengervehicles, coupled with the considerable crush space afforded by anengine compartment, generally located in the front of a vehicle, and aluggage compartment, generally located in the rear, have greatlyfacilitated the energy management required during impact events directedto the front and rear portions of conventional vehicles. At the sides ofmost vehicles, however, the crush distances are much less than thosetypically available for the front and rear of the vehicle. Moreover, thedoors and rocker panels of most vehicles do not readily lend themselvesto incorporation of the structures typically used for energy managementin the front and rear bumpers of such vehicles.

The present invention provides supplemental side impact protection bymeans of a deployable energy management structure which is deployed byan electronic system controller according to a predetermined logicsequence. Although it is known in the art to have nerf bars which areraised manually to protect the sides of a vehicle, such bars are neitherautomatically deployed, nor, for that matter, are they deployable inreal time in response to an assessment performed in real time eitherprior to, or during an impact. The present system solves problemsassociated with prior art deployable side safety beams by providing anexternal energy management structure which is deployable according tothe results of a risk assessment performed by an onboard controller.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A supplemental impact protection system for an automotive vehicleincludes an external energy management structure having a first positionutilized for normal vehicle operation and a second, or deployed,position for use during an impact event. A mounting system fastens theenergy management structure to the vehicle and selectively positions theenergy management structure in either the first position or the secondposition. A controller assesses the impact potential of the vehicle andoperates the mounting system to move the energy management structure tothe second position in the event that the assessed impact potentialsatisfies a predetermined threshold. An external energy managementstructure according to the present invention may comprise a deployablebeam extending along at least a portion of the exterior of the vehicle.Such beam may be either a running board, or a step bar, or a side guardbeam, or other types of similar devices known to those skilled in theart and suggested by this disclosure.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an external energymanagement structure according to this invention is actuated by amounting system including either a pyrotechnic device, or an electricmotor. These devices move the energy management structure into itssecond, or deployed, position.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an impactpotential threshold may include predictive sensing of an impact by meansof a pre-crash sensor, or sensing of operation of the vehicle in aforward gear, or operation at a particular ground speed. A controllerfor operating the present energy management structure would typicallyinclude one or more accelerometers to track impact events. Further, thesystem controller may operate not only the present energy managementstructure mounting system, but also at least one supplemental restraintdevice installed in a vehicle.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method foroperating a supplemental impact protection system for an automotivevehicle includes the steps of sensing at least one vehicle operatingparameter, assessing an impact potential of the vehicle based upon atleast the sensed value of the operating parameter, and deploying anexternal energy management structure having a first position for normalvehicle operation and a second position for deployment during an impactevent, based upon the assessed impact potential of the vehicle. Thevehicle operating parameter sensed by the present system may, forexample, be a measure of reduced proximity to another vehicle, whichmeasurement may be accomplished by means of a pre-crash sensor.

It is an advantage of a protection system according to the presentinvention that the impact protection of a vehicle may be enhancedwithout the need for providing additional structures, inasmuch as a stepbar, running board, or guard beam according to the present invention maybe used for the dual purposes of entering the vehicle, as well as forproviding side impact protection. This dual purpose also reduces theweight and complexity of the vehicle.

It is a further advantage of a system according to the present inventionthat the supplemental side impact protection may be provided in realtime through the use of pyrotechnic or compressed gas devices.

It is yet a further advantage of a system according to the presentinvention that a vehicle may be protected from impacts resulting notonly from roadway collisions, but also from parking lot impacts.

Other advantages, as well as objects and features of the presentinvention, will become apparent to the reader of this specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pickup truck having a supplementalimpact protection system, shown as a deployable side step bar, accordingto one aspect of the present invention. FIG. 1 also shows a bumper of avehicle moving into strike the illustrated vehicle.

FIGS. 2 a and 2 b are sectional views showing the protective step bar ofFIG. 1 in a normal operating position, and a deployed position,respectively.

FIGS. 3 a-3 c illustrate a deployment sequence for a second embodimentof a step bar according to the present invention.

FIGS. 4 a-4 c illustrate a deployment sequence for a third embodiment ofa step bar according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a system according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating one method employing a systemaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a second flow chart illustrating a more generic method ofemploying a system according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a vehicle having yet another embodimentof a side impact protection system according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a frontal elevation of the vehicle shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view, partially cut away, of the vehicledepicted in FIGS. 8 and 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in FIG. 1, vehicle 10 has a supplemental impact protectionsystem, 18, with an external energy management structure including stepbeam 22, which has been rotated into a protective operating position.Beam 22 functions as an external energy management structure byresisting bending, buckling and twisting during impact events. FIG. 1also shows bumper 14 of a striking vehicle which is moving into positionto strike step beam 22, rather than the doors of vehicle 10.

As shown in FIG. 2 a, step beam 22 normally resides below door 20. Stepbeam 22 is mounted upon a plurality of body brackets, 23. Each bodybracket 23 is rotatably mounted at a hinge point, 26, to body 28 ofvehicle 10. Those skilled in the art will appreciate in view of thisdisclosure that body 28 may comprise either a unitized body, or a bodyor frame portion of a separate frame and body vehicle.

In FIG. 2 b, step beam 22 is in its second, or deployed, position. Thismay also be termed an elevated position. When placed in this position,step beam 22 acts as a countermeasure against the intrusion of astriking object, such as the illustrated bumper 14. Beam 22 and brackets23 are rotated about hinge points 26 by means of a linear motor orpyrotechnic device. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 a and 2 b,linear motor 44 uses motor element 39 and lead screw 41 to raise stepbeam 22 in response to commands from a controller (FIGS. 5 and 6).

FIGS. 3 a-3 c illustrate an embodiment in which a pyrotechnic device,30, including a propellant, or gas generator, 32, acts upon a piston,36, and through a link, 40, so as to rotate brackets 23 and step beam22. As an alternative, gas generator 32 may consist of a container ofcompressed gas released by a pyrotechnic squib. In essence, two types ofgas devices may be employed in the present system. With the first, asolid propellant generant may provide the gas. The second embodiment, asdescribed above, uses a tank of compressed gas, which is released withinmilliseconds.

Pyrotechnic device 30 may be triggered by means of a controller which iseither stand-alone, or is used to control other impact countermeasuredevices such as airbags, seatbelt tensioners, or an adaptive steeringcolumn. A second pyrotechnic device, 31, is used in the embodiment ofFIGS. 3 a-3 c to rotate step beam 22 in a direction opposite to thedirection of the rotation driven by pyrotechnic device 30. When rotatedto the final position shown in FIG. 3 c, the full structural strength ofstep beam 22 is available to assist in the avoidance of intrusion ofbumper 14 into door 20.

FIG. 4 shows an alternative construction in which step beam 22, brackets23, and linear motor 39 are all attached to a slide, 33, which isconnected to a second linear motor, 37. In this embodiment, linear motor37 first extends slide 33, and then beam 22 is rotated by linear motor39. Those skilled in the art will appreciate in view of this disclosurethat gas devices, using either pyrotechnically generated, or compressedgas, could be substituted for either or both of linear motors 37 and 39.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 8-10, vehicle 198 has a supplemental impactprotection system wherein the energy management structure includes aguard beam, 200, adapted to extend longitudinally along vehicle 198,with guard beam 200 being mounted upon rollers (not shown) carriedwithin generally vertically extending track segments 204 mounted tofront and rear portions of vehicle 198. Drive motor 214 and push-pullcable 208, having a core, 212 and sheath, 210, move guard beam 200 intoits second, or deployed, position by pulling beam 200 upwardly alongtrack segments 204.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a system of the present invention,including controller 50, which assesses an impact potential of vehicle10 and operates beam mounting system 54, including either pyrotechnicdevice 30, or linear motor 44, to deploy energy management structure 64.Those skilled in the art will appreciate in view of this disclosuremoreover, that not only step beam 22, or guard beam 200, could be used,but also running board devices, or yet other energy management deviceswhich are suitable for moveable mounting to either the sides or ends ofan automotive vehicle.

Controller 50 assesses the impact potential by means, for example, of apre-crash sensor. Such sensors are known to those skilled in the art andare beyond the scope of this invention. In any event, if an impact eventis sensed, pyrotechnic device 30 will be activated to as to raise stepbar 22 or guard beam 200, to its raised or deployed position. Controller50 receives inputs from a plurality of sensors 56, such as thepreviously mentioned pre-crash sensor, as well as from a vehicle gearselector sensor, a vehicle speed sensor, an ignition switch, and a doorswitch. Many of sensors 56 may be either integral with controller 50 ordistributed about vehicle 10. Mounting system 54 shown in FIG. 5 maycomprise not only the illustrated mounting system but also othermounting systems suitable for practicing the present invention. Theenergy management structure, 64, illustrated in FIG. 5 may be embodiednot only as step bar 22, but also as guard beam 200, or yet otherdeployable devices. Finally, as shown in FIG. 5 controller 50 may beused to operate a plurality of countermeasure devices, 60, in additionto the supplemental impact protection system described herein.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating deployment of the present system,with particular reference to linear motor 44 illustrated in FIG. 2.Motor 44 typically would be sized in such a manner as to provide economyin terms of weight and power consumption, with a compromise in terms oftime response. In other words, linear motor 44 cannot act with theextremely high speed of response characterizing pyrotechnic device 30.As a consequence, the deployment of a system using an electric motor todeploy the energy management structure is handled differently than asystem using either compressed gas or a pyrotechnic device. Accordingly,at block 72 of FIG. 6 a question is asked to as to whether the vehicle'signition switch is on. If the ignition is on, a question is asked atblock 74 as to whether the vehicle doors are closed. If the doors areclosed, the logic moves to block 76, wherein a question is asked aboutwhether the transmission is in drive. If the answer is yes, and if thevehicle's speed is above 5 miles an hour at block 78, step beam 22 willbe deployed at block 80. In other words, at block 80 the routine hasdetermined that the vehicle's impact potential has satisfied apredetermined threshold defined as being in a forward gear at a speedabove five miles per hour. Then, at block 82 the drive sequence logicbegins. Thereafter, if the ignition has been turned off at block 84, orif a door has been opened at block 86, or if the transmission has beenplaced in park at block 88, step beam 22 will be lowered at block 90.

FIG. 7 illustrates logic for use particularly with pyrotechnic device30, including either a compressed gas source or a solid propellantgenerant. A compressed gas device will allow higher pressures within thepower cylinder for a longer period of time inasmuch as heat is not usedas one of the drivers for the generation of pressure within the powercylinder. As shown in FIG. 7, the logic starts at block 100, and thenmoves block 102, wherein vehicle operating parameters are sensed. Theseparameters may, as noted above, include pre-crash proximity sensing of aclosing or intersecting vehicle. Thus, at block 104 if a value of asensed deployment triggering parameter is greater than a predeterminedthreshold value, for example, if an impact against the vehicle isdetermined to be imminent, the logic moves to block 106, wherein theenergy management structure of the present invention is deployed. Themethod ends at block 108, it being understood that in an impact eventthere is no need for the system to do anything further once the energymanagement structure has been deployed.

Although the present invention has been described in connection withparticular embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that variousmodifications, alterations, and adaptations may be made by those skilledin the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventionset forth in the following claims.

1. A supplemental impact protection system for an automotive vehicle,comprising: a. an external energy management structure having a firstposition for normal vehicle operation and a second position fordeployment during an impact event; b. a mounting system for fasteningsaid energy management structure to a vehicle and for selectivelypositioning the energy management structure in either said firstposition or said second position; and c. a controller for assessing animpact potential of a vehicle and for operating said mounting system tomove said energy management structure to said second position in theevent that the assessed impact potential satisfies a predeterminedthreshold.
 2. A supplemental impact protection system according to claim1, wherein said external energy management structure comprises a beamextending along at least a portion of the exterior of said vehicle.
 3. Asupplemental impact protection system according to claim 1, wherein saidmounting system comprises a gas device having a pyrotechnic source formoving said energy management structure into said second position.
 4. Asupplemental impact protection system according to claim 1, wherein saidmounting system comprises an electric motor for moving said energymanagement structure into said second position.
 5. A supplemental impactprotection system according to claim 1, wherein said energy managementstructure comprises a running board.
 6. A supplemental impact protectionsystem according to claim 1, wherein said energy management structurecomprises a step beam having a first position in which the step beam islowered and a second position in which the step beam is raised.
 7. Asupplemental impact protection system according to claim 1, wherein saidenergy management structure comprises a beam which is movable generallyvertically by said mounting system.
 8. A supplemental impact protectionsystem according to claim 1, wherein said impact potential thresholdcomprises predictive sensing of an impending impact by means of apre-crash sensor.
 9. A supplemental impact protection system accordingto claim 1, wherein said impact potential threshold comprises sensing ofoperation of a vehicle in a forward gear.
 10. A supplemental impactprotection system according to claim 1, wherein said controllercomprises at least one accelerometer for detecting an impact directedlaterally against a vehicle.
 11. A supplemental impact protection systemaccording to claim 1, wherein said controller comprises at least a speedsensor for determining the speed at which a vehicle is being operatedand a gear selector sensor for determining when a vehicle gear selectorhas been placed in a travel gear position.
 12. A supplemental impactprotection system according to claim 1, wherein said controller operatesnot only said energy management structure mounting system, but also atleast one supplemental restraint device installed in an automotivevehicle.
 13. A supplemental impact protection system according to claim1, wherein said mounting system moves said energy management structureinto said second position by rotating the energy management structureabout pivots attached to a body of said vehicle.
 14. A supplementalimpact protection system according to claim 1, wherein said mountingsystem moves said energy management structure into said second positionby rotating the energy management structure in a first direction aboutpivots attached to body brackets, and by rotating the energy managementstructure in a second direction about pivots extending between said bodybrackets and the body of said vehicle.
 15. A supplemental impactprotection system according to claim 1, wherein said mounting systemmoves said energy management structure into said second position bymoving the energy management structure outboard translationally byextending at least one slide, and by rotating the energy managementstructure about pivots extending between said slide and said energymanagement structure.
 16. A supplemental impact protection systemaccording to claim 1, wherein said energy management structure comprisesa guard beam adapted to extend longitudinally along a vehicle, with theguard beam being mounted upon rollers carried within generallyvertically extending track segments mounted to a vehicle, and with saidmounting system moving said guard beam into said second position bypulling the energy management structure upwardly along said tracksegments.
 17. A supplemental impact protection system according to claim1, wherein said mounting system comprises a gas-powered device having asupply of high pressure gas for moving said energy management structureinto said second position.
 18. A method for operating a supplementalimpact protection system for an automotive vehicle, comprising the stepsof: a. sensing at least one vehicle operating parameter; b. assessingthe impact potential of the vehicle, based upon at least the sensedvalue of said operating parameter; and c. deploying an external energymanagement structure having a first position for normal vehicleoperation and a second position for deployment during an impact event,based upon the assessed impact potential of the vehicle.
 19. A methodaccording to claim 18, wherein said external energy management structurecomprises a beam extending along at least a portion of a vehicleexterior.
 20. A method according to claim 18, wherein said vehicleoperating parameter is reduced proximity to another vehicle.
 21. Amethod according to claim 18, wherein said sensing is accomplished bymeans of a pre-crash sensor.
 22. A supplemental impact protection systemfor an automotive vehicle, comprising: a. an external energy managementstructure comprising a step beam having a first, lowered position fornormal vehicle operation and a second, raised position for deploymentduring an impact event; b. a mounting system for fastening said energymanagement structure to a vehicle and using at least one gas device torotatably position the energy management structure in said secondposition in real time during an impact; and c. a controller forassessing an impact potential of a vehicle and for operating said atleast one gas device to move said energy management structure to saidsecond position in the event that the assessed impact potentialsatisfies a predetermined threshold.